We’ve reached the Final, at long last.
Spain and Argentina both delivered killer performances in the semifinals. Spain, by taking France and placing them in a headlock like they were nothing. Argentina, by kicking England around and then turning the football dial on so high the English forgot how to play.
This is the first World Cup Final to be contested by the reigning champions of the EUROs and Copa América. No accidents here, this is a top matchup.
The Final will kick off at 3:00 PM EDT.
Latest results:
- France 4-6 England. No, not a typo!
Predictions
Spain 1-1 Argentina a.e.t; Spain wins the penalty shootout.
If anyone can keep Messi bottled up for 120 minutes, it’s Spain. That will be easier to do with a lead and harder to do without. The way this looks likelier to go down is that Spain strike first but not early and stay on the ball, while Argentina, who have always left it late, find some way again to equalize. Then both teams, exhausted after a long tournament, struggle to score until the sweet release of penalties. Anything can happen there — but storybook would just be too fitting, wouldn’t it? The Spanish have had the more impressive tournament so far and would walk out deserved victors.
And after yesterday’s fun-filled goal fest? We’re due for one for the sickos only.
Reading and listening
- ✍️ The Athletic: Vibrant kits, sumptuous goals and exhaustive wall charts: Our writers’ formative World Cup memories
- ✍️ The Independent: Germany are desperate and this is why Jurgen Klopp can end their bleak decade
- ✍️ Talking Tactics: Penalty shootouts are changing, and this year’s World Cup is just the start
And one to draw special attention to, an op-ed appearing in The Guardian from US Soccer Federation Vice President Nathán Goldberg Crenier:
Closing passage below:
All of Fifa’s members have a duty to protect the integrity of the sport and save Fifa from itself, even at the risk of retaliation. In the short term, I hope federations around the world find the courage to oppose Infantino’s vision for the sport; in the long term, I urge them to pursue structural governance reforms that take power away from the role of the Fifa president and shift it toward the Council, the Congress, and the Secretary General, so that no single individual can ever act unilaterally to soccer’s detriment again. Perhaps then the greatest legacy of this World Cup will be that it spurred us to speak up for and defend the values that make soccer the people’s game.
Odds and Ends
And more art:
How to Watch
TV/streaming: Fox One (USA), Peacock (USA en Español), Find Your Country
Tips for commenting:
- If you’re a new member, feel free to introduce yourself! We’re
mostlyvery friendly! Also, we’re from all parts of the world so don’t feel shy if you’re from a country that doesn’t seem represented on the blog. - Use the on-screen “Refresh comments” button to periodically load new comments.
- Keep the sorting to “newest” to easily follow the conversation. It puts the newest comments at the top.
- While swearing is allowed within reason, please be polite to your fellow posters and avoid gratuitous obscenities. Racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language is not allowed whatsoever.
Check out our beginners thread if you have any more questions. That’s about it. Auf geht’s!
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- New, improved notifications system!
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
